Design Comes Into Focus for 2011 at Media Event
By Lisa Casey-Weiss, IHA Lifestyle Consultant
IHA will have it’s annual Show Preview press event in about a month, Tuesday, January 18 2011 to be exact. The event will be at the Hilton New York from noon-4pm and will have about 70 exhibitors displaying housewares products that will take center stage at the Show in March.
The IHA held a press event for members in October titled Discover Design, and here are some of the highlights from that event.
Highwave, Inc. – Vino Vaso & BrewFish
Highwave, Inc., literally turned the media event upside down by pairing two unusual items to create an original duo – a wine glass that can be flipped over for use as a bud vase. This double-wall, pilsner-shaped glass keeps wine chilled on one side and a tulip or a rose bud on display when you turn the glass upside down.
FRED – Food Face plates, M cups/spoons, Tank Up mugs & Chill Pill ice molds
FRED, a division of Easy Aces Inc., brought fun to the dinner table by encouraging children to play with their food with creatively-designed dinnerware that allows children to create different characters on the “face” of the plate. These plates are individually gift-boxed with suggestions for designing “food art.”
My Little Cupcake – “no-bake” cupcake mold
Speaking of fun in the kitchen, My Little Cupcake has created a pop-out mold designed to make “no-bake” mini cupcakes. This item is easy-to-use and fun for adults and kids alike.
The art of combining form and function seemed to be the main theme at the media event with several exhibitors revving up the design element while staying true to the product’s main goal – to perform.
BISSELL Homecare, Inc. – Power Edge vacuum
Among the latest on display is a hard floor vacuum by BISSELL Homecare, Inc., that features a special V-shaped foot to help capture dirt along the edges and baseboards, helping consumers get the job done faster and better. The unique V-shaped design helps collect dirt and debris that collects in the corners, along edges and under furniture, areas that all pose cleaning challenges.
Casabella Holdings LLC – Butter Keep-n-Slice, Butterfly Duo Scraper, Moon Mop
Creating a unique shape for its mop is one way Casabella Holdings LLC is seeking to differentiate itself from its competitors. Developing a crescent-shaped mop head helps to trap and hold dirt. By adding a great swivel action, this product helps make cleaning easier for consumers.
AM Conservation Group Inc. – Dish Squeegee, Universal Wall Plate Thermometer, Plug Guard Wall Plate Cover
Another stellar design on display was AM Conservation Group Inc.’s simple, kitchen tool that eliminates the need to pre-rinse dishes prior to dishwasher use – proving to be practical, money-saving and environmentally-friendly all at the same time. It is made of silicone and won’t scratch cookware or nonstick surfaces. Pre-rinsing dishes, the company said, can waste up to 6500 gallons of water a year.
American Housewares International, Inc. – MAWA Hangers
How about a new design that reinvents the clothes hanger? By featuring a great, nonstick coating, European design and cool colors, American Housewares International, Inc.’s product is sure to brighten up your closet.
You can find all of these videos as well as others featuring companies like bodum, simplehuman, Cuisipro and more from the October press event on our YouTube page.
For more information and registration about the upcoming Show Preview event go here. You can also contact Debbie Teschke at dteschke@housewares.org or call her at 1.847.692.0110.
